Feds demand Mendocino County pot records

Federal authorities have subpoenaed financial records the county of Mendocino keeps regarding its medical marijuana ordinance, official sources confirmed.

County officials confirmed Tuesday that a federal grand jury issued a subpoena to the Mendocino County Auditor-Controller's Office for records of funds paid to the county under its medical marijuana ordinance, County Code 9.31. The subpoena arrived in late October, according to one source.

The reason for the request is unclear as local and federal officials remain quiet regarding the subpoena.

Until recently, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office issued permits under 9.31 for collectives wanting to grow up to 99 marijuana plants, an exemption to the county's 25-plant limit.

Former County Counsel Jeanine Nadel proposed in February that the county stop issuing the permits and revert to the 25-plant limit for all growers after the U.S. Attorney's Office threatened to file and injunction against the county's medical marijuana cultivation ordinance and seek legal action against county officials who supported it.

Under 9.31, the Sheriff's Office still sells zip ties for $25 apiece, which can be affixed to plants to show they are grown in compliance with state law. The popular program had brought in about $500,000 for zip ties and permits for the Sheriff's Office before the permitting portion stopped in March.

Representatives with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Attorney's Office said they could "neither confirm nor deny" that a subpoena was issued. When asked about the subpoena, Mendocino County Counsel Tom Parker and Deputy Auditor-Controller Lloyd Weir both refused to comment.

Tiffany Revelle can be reached at udjtr@pacific.net, on Twitter @TiffanyRevelle or at 468-3523.